The Lisbon Treaty - News from ireland.com

The Irish Times

Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Electorate should not be blackmailed into voting Yes
Treaty can be amended to avoid a crisis, but the Government will try to scare voters into ratifying Lisbon, writes Vincent Browne . p
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Carlsberg politics of easy options is an ugly hangover
As Ireland is no longer weak, it is time it rid itself of the colonial hangover of evasion and duplicity in political life, writes Fintan O'Toole .
Monday, June 23, 2008
EU leaders make it clear Cowen's options are limited
ANALYSIS: The Brussels EU summit narrowed, but clarified, the options facing Taoiseach Brian Cowen after the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty, writes Patrick Smyth .
Lisbon impasse will not affect EU-US relations, says former US ambassador
Experts belive the next US president will be far more willing to work with Europe on issues of common interest, writes Deaglán de Bréadún
Madame Mary Lou makes Sarkozy an offer he can't refuse
Mary Lou McDonald gives the French president advice on saving the Lisbon Treaty ... as imagined by Michael Parsons .
Friday, June 20, 2008
Lisbon rejection offers chance to rebuild trust in public life
A national discussion will require real reform of how our political system operates, writes Elaine Byrne
Disgrace of Lisbon vote built on fear and ignorance
The men who built this society would have despaired that people voted without finding out what was at stake, writes John Waters
Ireland must remain part of decision-making process in EU
A second referendum on Lisbon is likely, and economic disaster and exiting the EU will loom if we reject it again, writes Peter Brennan
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Scare tactics of No camp was the greatest deceit
Legally binding agreements do not lend themselves to loose, easy-to-understand language, writes David Adams
Source of anti-treaty Libertas funding remains a mystery
ANALYSIS: Declan Ganley says the organisation will comply with the law on disclosing sources of political funding. However, under the law, the public is entitled to know virtually nothing, writes Colm Keena
FF and FG point finger of blame at each other
ANALYSIS: Inevitably there are recriminations between the two main parties after the Lisbon debacle, writes Deaglán De Bréadún
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
German court considers impact of Ireland’s vote
ANALYSIS: German judges are asked if the Lisbon Treaty is compatible with democracy, writes Derek Scally.
Crisis? What crisis? The EU can simply get on with it
The EU fared just fine with 27 members and no Lisbon Treaty. There is nothing to stop it going forward, writes Vincent Browne .
Treaty rejection will reduce Ireland to minority of one in Union
OPINION: Going back to the drawing board and getting a better deal is not going to happen, writes Brigid Laffan .
A modest list of demands that will win better EU deal
OPINION: Brian Cowen meets his EU counterparts tomorrow. Mary Lou McDonald says this is what he needs to tell them..
Monday, June 16, 2008
Hard options begin to emerge
IRELAND AND the European Union are in a great mess following rejection of the Lisbon Treaty in last Thursday's referendum. The costly political consequences of the decision, mostly ignored or disregarded during the campaign, are rapidly becoming apparent. Ireland faces extremely troubling choices concerning our future relationship with the rest of the European Union and its member-states. They recognise Ireland's sovereign right to reject the treaty but do not accept that the reforms it contains should be abandoned, even if legally the treaty can only be implemented unanimously.
EU must take road back to democratic accountability
If Europe is to succeed and if it is to have the powers it wants, it must be seen to be legitimate, writes Declan Ganley .
The people cannot be wrong, but may be misguided
Voters, faced with the uncertainties of a changing world, dived under the blankets for safety and voted No, writes Tony Kinsella .
Tory government would fully exploit collapse of Lisbon Treaty
There is every prospect 26 of the 27 EU states will have approved the treaty by the year end, writes John Palmer .
Electors take opportunity to make show of politicians
Voters used the poll to exact revenge on the politicians they felt had neglected them, writes Ann Marie Hourihane .
A nation divided by the those who have and haven’t read it
It is Bloomsday. So have you read any good books lately? asks Michael Parsons .
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Result is a reflection of popular belief that things can only get worse
Instead of confidence, the outcome speaks more of a desperate desire for things to continue as they have been, writes Fintan O'Toole .
Chickens came home to roost yesterday . . . with a vengeance
So now it's plan C and that leaves Brian another 23 letters left in the alphabet, writes Miriam Lord at the count centre in Dublin Castle.
Humiliated Government must try to clear up mess
INSIDE POLITICS: For the new Taoiseach Brian Cowen the Lisbon Treaty poll result is an unmitigated disaster, writes Stephen Collins
Pressure mounts on S Korean president as truckers strike
SOUTH KOREA: South Korean truckers extended their strike yesterday over high fuel costs, adding to President Lee Myung-bak's woes, but a threatened major anti-government protest fizzled out.
Deeper look at poll illuminates complex reasons for result
LISBON OUTCOME: DESPITE WIDESPREAD support among the Irish public for Ireland's membership of the European Union and even more widespread appreciation of the benefits that have accrued to Ireland from that membership, on Friday 13th of June, 2008 it emerged that the Irish electorate, or more precisely, the 53 per cent of the electorate that voted, had rejected the Treaty of Lisbon (by 53.4 to 46.6) just as they had done in 2001 to the Treaty of Nice. Why?
McDonald comes centre stage in first chapter of Sinn Féin rewrite
ANALYSIS: Following a poor general election campaign last year, Sinn Féin is back in the game, writes Mark Hennessy .
Adams hails Mary Lou v Goliath as No groups vie for credit
Sinn Féin was a model of dignity and self-restraint as it found itself relevant again, writes Frank McNally .
Political damage suffered by Cowen has yet to become clear
ANALYSIS: The recriminations in FF will not be long in coming, with Dick Roche probably first in line, writes Mark Hennessy .
The people have spoken – and they are not loo-lahs
It is time for politicians to consider an entirely different model of European co-operation, writes Breda O'Brien
Result reveals audience for euroscepticism
Campaign shows support base for a new party - will Libertas make a political play? asks Noel Whelan
A good start would have been half the work for Yes campaign
In delaying its campaign the Government ignored the lessons of the first Nice Treaty referendum, writes Garret FitzGerald
EU partners will remember just who killed off Lisbon
ECONOMIC REACTION: Business reaction is united in fearing the result will damage our negotiating position, writes Paul Tansey .
Member states have no appetite for treaty renegotiations
ANALYSIS: The danger for Ireland is if a consensus emerges in Brussels to move ahead without us, writes Jamie Smyth .
'European elite got too arrogant and it might make EU leaders think again'
As if it was St Patrick's Day, suddenly everyone was Irish, even hardened British Eurosceptics, writes Judith Crosbie in Brussels.
Amazing victory for the people, says McKenna
CELEBRATION PARTY: "NO ONE SAID it was going to be easy, but we got there in the end," said one No camp supporter as he and his People's Movement colleagues last night raised their glasses in jubilation and reflected on a job well done, writes Steven Carroll .
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
VOTING PROCEDURE
VOTING IN the Lisbon Treaty referendum takes place tomorrow. Polling stations open at 7am and close at 10pm.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Smaller commission a done deal that may not last
Losing a permanent commissioner may be controversial but it has already been signed up to under the Nice Treaty, writes Jamie Smyth .
Kerry Socialist Joe gets 'good response' in the capital
Steven Carroll joins Joe Higgins canvassing in O'Connell Street, Dublin.
Pssst, Google has a secret - it's an interesting, lively treaty debate
Ignoring a suggestion to spoil their ballots, young voters elect to keep the debate rockin', writes Róisín Ingle at the interactive web debate, Google HQ, Blanchardstown, Dublin.
'And they all rowed together with the rowlocks between their knees'
A romantic political melodrama opened in Dublin yesterday for one performance only, writes Miriam Lord at the joint canvass by the main party leaders.
Hard to keep up with energetic Tánaiste
There was no stopping Mary Coughlan as she swept through Donegal yesterday canvassing for a Yes vote, writes Seán Mac Connell with Tánaiste Mary Coughlan, campaigning in Donegal.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Vote No to canvassing, say battle-scarred campaign teams
Green heavy hitters have trouble finding Yes votes - and locals - as the campaign heats up
Campaigners keep an eye on the ball at Croker
Sport and politics don't mix, but that didn't stop the Yes and No groups from campaigning at the Dublin-Louth match
Betting tycoon wants a UK referendum
Millionaire Tory donor Stuart Wheeler claims the British government refusal to put Lisbon to a public vote is unlawful
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Softly-spoken, polite, even shy betimes, Cowen goes forth to drum up support
Faced with difficult poll ratings on Lisbon, Cowen's most used word yesterday meeting the public was "help"
Friday, June 6, 2008
Referendum facing defeat
THE REFERENDUM on the Lisbon Treaty is heading towards defeat, according to findings of the latest Irish Times /TNS mrbi opinion poll published today. There is a dramatic shift in public opinion towards a No vote, with majorities in most age groups now opposed to the treaty on the grounds of safeguarding Ireland's identity and neutrality and their poor understanding of the issues.
Citizens of Europe united in ignorance of treaty
It's not simply an Irish issue - the gap between Europe's citizens and what they know about the Lisbon Treaty is a big one, writes Jamie Smyth , European Correspondent, in Brussels.
Is the Lisbon Treaty good for business?
Maurice Pratt argues in favour a Yes vote Declan Ganley argues to the contrary.
Referendum really about a Yes or No to Irish politics
Politics itself is on trial in the referendum, and Ahern's stint at the tribunal is bad timing for the Yes campaign, Elaine Byrne .
Thursday, June 5, 2008
‘This treaty is a load of gobbledegook.’ ‘Deliberately so,’ interjects Morgan
One woman wanted to know if a Yes vote would mean 'we'd get Michael McDowell back', writes Kathy Sheridan from the campaign trail.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Does Lisbon Treaty enhance democracy?
Pat Cox argues yes and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn argues no.
Days of serious negotiations brought about carefully worded statement
An open breach over Lisbon was of no benefit to either side, writes Stephen Collins , Political Editor
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Saying No would give us great leverage in renegotiation of any subsequent treaty
On the basis of a risk/benefit analysis, we should reject Lisbon, writes Kathy Sinnott .
The more voters are engaged, the less posters matter
Only a few of the Lisbon Treaty posters are deemed a success by the experts. Ruadhán Mac Cormaic reports.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Extremists of both sides line up against EU blandness
The Lisbon Treaty is essentially a useful, but unexceptional, revision of the EU rule book, writes Tony Kinsella
Friday, May 30, 2008
Parties opt for show of unity after several days of acrimony
ANALYSIS: Peace has broken out between Fianna Fáil and the main Opposition parties after an acrimonious few days centring around the Lisbon campaign, writes MARK HENNESSEY .
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Astute Irish diplomats are expert at playing the Brussels system
OPINION: Irish influence in Brussels is leveraged most by our diplomats and by skilled negotiating - not opposing for the sake of opposing, writes Brigid Laffan
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
What have the world trade talks got to do with Lisbon?
The proposed world trade agreement is not linked to the Lisbon Treaty but could yet bring it down in the referendum, Jamie Smyth , European Correspondent explains why
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Opposition parties slow to get fully behind Yes campaign
ANALYSIS: Senior Fine Gael figures have proven to be far too shy in the presence of microphones
Orthodox and creative fundraising help boost No war chest to €1.25m
CAMPAIGN FUNDING II: The anti-Lisbon groups have less money than their opponents but they are highly-motivated
Monday, May 26, 2008
Main parties and pro-treaty groups to spend €2.3m on Yes campaign
CAMPAIGN SPENDING: Part One: Fianna Fáil and Irish Alliance for Europe are the main spenders, each paying out €600,000
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Ireland needs an EU that can change with the times
OPINION: Lisbon will make the EU more effective and more democratic. It is the result of years of negotiations between 27 democratic governments. Just because we can vote No doesn't mean we should, writes JOHN BRUTON .
Vote No and we will become pariahs of EU
We should not reject a treaty that protects every one of our vital national interests, GARRET FITZGERALD .
With the treaty hanging in the balance, FG may hold the key
Brian Cowen and Enda Kenny need to tone down the rhetoric in advance of the vote, writes NOEL WHELAN .
Notion of EU empire clouds treaty debate
WORLD VIEW: THE WORD empire is often thrown around in debates about the nature and policies of the European Union, especially by opponents of the Lisbon Treaty during the current referendum campaign, writes PAUL GILLESPIE .
Not an expletive in sight as Biffo takes to canvass in flying form
When the boss comes to town, everyone, from lowly leaflet pusher to Cabinet grandee, plays second fiddle, writes MIRIAM LORD .
Friday, May 23, 2008
Yes vote maintains us as investment magnet
OPINION: The IDA strongly supports the Lisbon Treaty because the single market is vital to attracting future foreign direct investment, writes JOHN DUNNE .
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Treaty a threat to democracy and human rights
OPINION: If Lisbon is passed, the market will be a substitute for democracy writes FRANK KEOGHAN .
Charter of Rights makes Yes vote important for trade unions
OPINION: Lisbon offers some major advances for workers' rights and should be supported, writes PETER McLOONE .
Both sides spinning the web to get their messages across
ANALYSIS: The internet is now a vital and innovative resource for both sides of the campaign, writes STEVEN CARROLL .
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Irish neutrality has nothing to fear from post-Lisbon era
OPINION: The new treaty cannot override long-established foreign and security policies - but it is crucial we remain at the heart of Europe, writes Joe Costello
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Referendum offers SF oxygen of publicity but it is struggling even for leadership of No campaign
ANALYSIS: SINN FÉIN has invested much in the Lisbon Treaty referendum campaign: 500,000 leaflets, hours upon hours of effort, and careers hanging upon the result.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Vote No to Lisbon Treaty and reject European federal state
Lisbon would turn Ireland into a province or region of an EU superstate and make us citizens of it first rather than of our Republic, writes ANTHONY COUGHLAN .
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Treaty will further enhance the status of women in Europe
The Lisbon Treaty will better equip the EU to play its 'soft power' role in the world, writes Catherine Day
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Lisbon Treaty likely to widen democratic gap on trade rules
Developing world will suffer as gap widens between EU decision makers and the people, writes CONALL Ó CAOIMH .
Cowen accuses Lisbon opponents of confusing voters
CAMPAIGN LAUNCH - Fianna Fáil: OPPONENTS OF the Lisbon Treaty are trying to confuse voters and pull Ireland back from close involvement in the EU, Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Lisbon Treaty bears stamp of Irish negotiators and serves our interests
Ireland has played a unique part in the process leading to the current treaty, writes GARRET FITZGERALD .
Friday, May 9, 2008
Ignoring military dimension of EU yields vital ground to No side
Lisbon is not about militarising the EU but the time will come when we in Ireland should have a long debate about what role we are willing to play in defending Europe, writes Col Dorcha Lee
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Voters should reject treaty because it is not democratic
Lisbon entails handing over to our masters in Brussels responsibility for things they do not want us to understand, writes BRENDAN OGLE .
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Lisbon – you know it makes good business sense
The Lisbon debate has been dominated by red herrings. The treaty is in Ireland's interests and should be supported, argues MARTIN NAUGHTON
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Engaging with public will help to ratify treaty
WORLD VIEW: It was mainly official Ireland that learned these lessons between the two Nice referendums. In fact, the No vote as a proportion of the electorate reduced from 21 to 19 per cent between the referendum on the Amsterdam Treaty in 1998 and Nice 1, and then to 18 per cent in Nice 2 - predominantly the same people. It made all the difference that turnout increased from 34 to 49 per cent between the two Nice votes. That extra half million voters were nearly all Yes supporters, mobilised by a much more effective campaign, both politically and from civil society, writes Paul Gillespie
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Pro-Lisbon campaign still to get off ground
ANALYSIS: An absence of Ministers supporting Dick Roche's 'Vote Yes' plea on Lisbon has left the running to a diverse, at times conflicting, No campaign
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Treaty will give EU too much power
OPINION: Lisbon should be rejected, according to Sinn Féin, and negotiators sent back to cut a better deal, writes MARY LOU McDONALD
Monday, April 28, 2008
A system that must reconcile 27 states’ demands
ANALYSIS : Part II: If ratified, the Lisbon Treaty will change the European Union's voting system and the way Ireland is represented in EU institutions. It will also involve changes to the rotating presidency of the EU and establish a new position of president

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